Summer … a time for digging – in the garden, in the yard and on the road.
But before digging into that excavation project, the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company strongly urges Do-It-Yourself homeowners to dial 811.
The toll-free “Call Before You Dig” phone number is not just for professional excavators. It helps regular folks safely work on below-ground projects like building a new deck, repairing a sprinkler system, installing a fence post or planting a tree – all of which can rupture sunken utility lines that often run inches from the surface.
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“People often don’t realize that something as simple as a shovel can hit one of these lines,” said Haddam Fire Chief Gary Klare. “That can lead to injury, property damage, disruption of services or worse.”
It may also make you liable for any damage you cause to the utilities.
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Digging blindly not only threatens your safety, it endangers First Responders called in after hazardous pipeline and other utility incidents.
Calling 811 a few days prior to digging or excavation notifies local utility companies to send a locator to mark the approximate location of all underground power lines, liquid and gas pipelines, and communication cables. That way, you’ll know what’s below and be able to dig without worry. It’s free, fast, easy and potentially life-saving.
When you call, you’ll need to provide the following information:
• Address where the work will be done
• Description of the work
• Location of the dig at the address
• Date of the planned work
Each year in America, approximately 30 percent of homeowners dig on their property and over 200,000 utilities are hit and damaged. The U.S. Department of Transportation and its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) hope that the national “Call Before You Dig” campaign helps make 811 as recognizable as 911, which has transformed emergency response.
“The good news is that most digging-related incidents can be prevented with a single call to 811,” says PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. “The fact that pipeline damage incidents have dropped 45 percent since 811 was created shows it works.”
To get all the “dirt” on Call Before You Dig, go to http://call811.com/default.aspx.
Do You Have What It Takes? Find more information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved at our website www.HaddamFire.com, or connect with us on Facebook.
